Hand-car



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. ROBERTS. HAND OAR.

No. 487,377. Patented Dec 6, 1892.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. ROBERTS. HAND GAR.

No. 487,377 Patented Dec. 6,1892.

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VIII/A'IIII/IA I 01,

[772 6 nim- Cyrus 230567 63 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

CYRUS ROBERTS, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

HAND-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 487,377, dated December 6, 1892.

Application filed May 6, 1892. Serial No. 432.017. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CYRUS ROBERTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Three Rivers, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand-Oars, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in railway hand-cars; and it consists in the peculiar construction,arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved car. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View thereof. Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking from the left hand in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detached elevation of the actuating-lever. Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of the lower end of one part thereof. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through one side of the platform, showing the pedestal and journalbox in elevation. Fig. 7 is a cross-section thereof on line 00 at, showing the pedestal in elevation. Fig. 8 is a detached perspective View of the pedestal. Fig. 9 isa vertical central longitudinal section through the wheel and axle, illustrating the manner of holding the fast and loose wheels to the axle, the construction of the boxes, dust-guard, &c. Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view of the parts of the journal-box. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the rocker, illustrating the manner of detachably supporting it beneath the car, partly in section. Fig. 12 is a cross-section thereof on line a e.

The form of the car preferably consists of the longitudinal timbers AA, between which are the arched or trussed timbers B and the cross-timbers 0, all suitably bolted together longitudinally and across the frame, and upon the top of this frame is a suitable platform D.

At the middle of the car I preferably arrange two of the cross-timbers in parallel relation and but a few inches apart, and so arrange the longitudinal timbers as to leave the central well or socket E in the middle of the car-platform in all cases where I desire to apply the actuating mechanism at the center of the car. The driving mechanism may, if desired, be applied at other points; but for ordinary uses I deem its location at the center desirable.

F are the wheels, of any desired construction.

G are the axles, one of which is the drivlug-axle.

In order to support the frame upon the axle, I employ a pedestal, (shown in detail. in Fig. 8,) preferably formed of steel or wrought-iron and shaped as shown, consisting of the two parallel securing portions a b and the supporting or hearing portions 0. The securing portions a b are preferably of unequal length, the longer one being of a length sufficient to reach to the top of the frame and the shorter one of a length to reach to the top of thelower longitudinal timber of the frame.

0' are wooden tiller-blocks adapted to fitbetween the inner faces of the securing portions a Z) and the frame of the car, as shown in Fig. 6, resting at their lower ends upon the bearing portions 0.

(Z are bolts passing through the longitudinal timbers of the securing portion of the pedestal and the filler-blocks.

In the horizontal bearing portions 0 is formed a half-bearing by striking up the curved lugs e, in which fits the journal-bearing f, resting upon the upper face of the axle.

g is the lower half of the box, of suitable size to contain the proper amount of lubricant or Waste and having the lateral flanges h, secured to the horizontal portion 0 of the pedestal by means of bolts 2'.

The details of the box and bearings are shown in detail in Fig. 10. The box fat its forward end is provided with an upward-extending flange j and the inwardly-extending flange 70, the former adapted to enteragroove in the hubmof the wheel and forminga sandband, thoroughly protecting the journal from dust. The drive-wheels I connect to the axle by means of a key n, inserted in keyways in the hub and axle and held in position by means of the cap 0, which is secured in position by means of a screw-bolt p, entering a screw-threaded aperture in the end of the axle. The loose wheels I secure in position by means of a corresponding cap q, a linchpin 1 passing through the cap and axle and a screw-threaded bolt 8, passing through the cap and into the axle, impinging with its end against the linch pin to prevent possibility of its disengagement.

Upon the driving-axle is sleeved a pinion H, and a clutch I on the axle is adapted to connect or disconnect the pinion with the axle and is operated by means of a lever J, extending to the end of the car.

K is a crank-shaft journaled in suitable hearings on the under side of the frame, and to the end of which is secured the gear-wheel L, meshing with the pinion.

M is a connecting-rod connecting the crankshaft with the lower end of the oscillating lever N, journaled at the other end of the car. This lever is connected by means of the conne ting-rod O with the rocker P, which is located in the well E centrally of the car. The construction of this rocker and the manner of supporting the same detachably beneath the earl deem of especial importance. The rocker I preferably form from wrought iron or steel of a single piece of metal bent into the shape of the substantially-rectangular frame, consisting of the two parallel sidestt, connected by the two end bars 25 The ends being brought together in the middle and secured by means of a clamping-ring i at the lower edge of the frame are then extended downward to form a bifurcated rocking arm 25, with which the end of the connecting-rod O pivotally engages.

a are U-shaped brackets secured to the central cross-timbers O, as shown in Figs. 2, 11,and 12, separated a distance corresponding, substantially, to the length of the rocker P.

u. are pivot-pins extending from apertures into the cross-bar portion of the brackets and secured in position by bolts a extending through the brackets, washers U3 being sleeved upon the bolt, upon each side of the pin, to hold it rigidly in position. The bolts 11, are detachable, and when detached one or both of the pivot-pins may be withdrawn, allowing the rocker to drop from the well. thus allowing of attaching or detaching the rocker in the least possible time in constructing the car or in repairs.

The two longitudinal bars of the rockerframe are provided with corresponding apertures o, arranged in line and preferably tapering, and the platform ofthe car above these sockets is correspondingly apertured to receive the tapering pins b at the lower end of the levers T, which extend above the platform and are connected by the cross-bars T, the whole forming an oscillating lever or frame by means of which motion is imparted to the rocker and from the rocker to the drive axles and wheels to propel the car. The lower ends of the levers T are split by a saw-kerf U, centrally bored to receive the pin S, which is slightly larger than the bore, so thatin being driven in it will be tightly held between the two parts of the lower end of the lever.

1 U are reinforcing-plates upon the sides of the lower ends of the levers T, having the inwardly-extending flanges V, bearing firmly against the sides of the pins S, and V are bolts passing through the plates U, the lower end of the lever T and the pivot S clamping the whole tightly in position. This construction brings the strain largely upon the flanges V of the reinforcing-plates and prevents danger of splitting the lever in operation, forming, also, a convenient means of replacing the pins in case repairs are needed without the necessity of replacing the entire lever.

The operator desiring to use the car places the pins S in the sockets oof the rocker, which are wedged therein by the tapering shape of the parts, and then oscillates the lever for ward and backward longitudinally of the car, imparting a rocking motion to the lever N, which in turn will turn the crank-shaftK and through the gear and pinion impart a rotary motion to the drive-shaft.

The brake consists of two toggle-levers \V W, suspended from the car by means of links W which are pivoted at the upper end to the car and at the lower ends to the lower ends of the levers, the levers being formed to swing longitudinally, but being prevented from swinging laterally that is, from the car-by means of cross-bars W formed on the brackets W, from which the links are suspended.

W' are connecting-plates for the lever W and lever W by means of which the two levers are pivotall y connected together at their upper ends.

X is an extension of one of the levers, having a foot-plate X at its upper end at or near the top of the platform, upon which the operator may press down to separate the two levers, pressing their ends firmly against the wheels to brake the same.

Y is a spring secured to a bar against the under side of the extension X, acting to lift that extension, and with it the two levers to withdraw them normally from the wheels.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a hand-car, the combination, with the wheel-supported platform, of a drive mechanism comprising an oscillating lever extending above the platform, a rocker journaled on fixed pivots centrally beneath the platform and with which the oscillating lever engages, and a connection from the rocker to the driveaxle, substantially as described.

2. In a hand-car, the combination,with the wheel-supported platform, of a drive mechanism comprising an oscillating lever extending above the platform, a detachable rocker, with which said lever is adapted to engage, journaled centrally below the platform, and a connection from the rocker to the driveaxle, substantially as described.

3. In a hand-car, the combination, with the wheel-supported platform, of a drive mechanism comprising an oscillating lever extending above the platform, a rocker with which said lever is adapted to detachably engage, a

pivot upon which said rocker is journaled, detachably secured in position, and a connection from the rocker to the drive-axle, substantially as described.

4. In a hand-car, the combination, with the wheel frame comprising longitudinal and cross timbers arranged to form a well, of the platform apertured above the well, a rocker detachably journaled in the well, a connection from the rocker to the drive-axle, and an oscillating lever extending above the platform, engaging with said rocker, substantially as described.

5. In a hand-car, the combination,with the wheeled frame comprising longitudinal and cross timbers arranged to form a well, of a socketed rocker detachably journaled in said Well, a connection from the rocker to the driveaxle, and an oscillating lever having a bearing at its lower end, adapted to engage in the sockets in said rocker and extending above the platform, substantially as described.

6. In a hand-car, the combination, with the wheeled frame comprising longitudinal and cross timbers arranged to form acentral well, of a rocker in said well, brackets at each end of the well, pivots detachably secured in said brackets, upon which the rocker is journaled, and an actuating-lever secured to the rocker, extending above the platform, substantially as described.

7. In a hand-car, the combination, with the wheeled frame comprising longitudinal and cross timbers arranged to form a well, of two U-shaped brackets secured at opposite ends of the well, pivots extending inwardly from said brackets, detachable cross-bolts extending through the brackets and the ends of the pivots, the rocker journaled on the pivots, and the actuating-lever connected with the rocker, substantially as described.

8. In a hand-car, the rocker formed of a single piece of metal shaped into a frame having parallel separated sides having corresponding apertures in line and a rock-arm, substantially as described.

9. In a hand-car, the rocker formed of a single piece of metal shaped into a frame hav-' ing parallel separated sides having corresponding apertures in line, and pivots engaging the ends between the sides, substantially as described.

10. In a hand-car, the combination, wit-h the wheels, of a brake therefor consisting of levers pivoted together and suspended at their lower ends free to swing, and means for separating the lower ends by pressure applied to the upper ends above the pivots,substantially as described.

11. In a hand-car, a brake consisting of two toggle-levers pivoted together at their and having a half-bearing formed therein at its lower end, substantially as described.

13. In a hand-car, the combination, with the frame and axle, of a pedestal consisting of vertical securing-arms and a horizontal bearing portion and a half-bearing formed in such horizontal portion, substantially as described.

14:. In a hand-car, the combination, with the frame and axle, of a pedestal of sheet metal shaped to form the securing-arms a b and a bearing portion 0, having the lips e struck up therefrom, substantially as described.

15. In a hand-car, the combination, with the frame and axle, of the pedestalhaving the horizontal portion a and half-bearing formed therein and the half-box g, secured to said horizontal portion, substantially as described.

16. In a hand-car, the combination of the frame and axle, a wheel secured to the axle and having a groove formed on theinner face of the hub, and the journal-bearing on the axle, having a flange is entering said groove, substantially as described.

17. In a hand-car, the combination of the frame and axle, wheels keyed to the axle by the key 77., a cap 0, and the screw-boltp for securing said cap in position, substantially as described.

18. In a hand-carof the kind described, the actuating-lever T, split at the lower end and socketed, a socket-pin S in said socket, and the reinforced plates U, having flanges V, bearing against the sides of the pin, and the bolts V, substantially as described.

19. In a hand-car, the combination, with the wheels, of a brake therefor, consisting of two levers pivotally connected, supports for the levers connected to the lower ends thereof, and means for separating the lower ends of the levers by engaging one of the same above its connection, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CYRUS ROBERTS. lVitnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, N. L. LINDOP.

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